There are some days, SanDisk announced that it was to 200GB capacity to its USB Connect key. A stick of storage that can be used with an iOS / Android device (or PC / Mac) via a Wi-Fi connection. No need for a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can be in the middle of a field and unload the contents of your iPhone to this key or retrieve files it contains.
The key has its own Wi-Fi chip and its own battery. What applies to an iOS / Android device to a computer that is also the key to connect via Wi-Fi. It may be interesting in the very special case of a MacBook that has no standard USB port. In this configuration, then visit the content of his key from a web browser.
This key is available in four capacities of 16, 32, 64, 128 and 200GB fifth must be marketed soon. They cost respectively 29, 43, 70 and 100 €, while the new is promised to maximum $ 120.
Log in to the iPhone
To operate this key mobility, the first thing is to download the companion app Connect Drive for iPhone and iPad. Good point, it is updated almost every month. Recently it was for 3D Touch and support for Live Photos of the iPhone 6s. The app is pretty much in current aesthetic canons (say we saw much worse in the register of apps that accompany the accessories). By cons, some texts are full here or there or are contracted without reason. I do not mind the use, but it lacks finish and it's a shame then that SanDisk has rightly made this effort to translate this software.
Then you turn the key (it has only one small on / off button on one side) and the Wi-Fi settings of the iPhone, attempts "SanDisk Connect" in the list of access points .
The iOS app hosts the user on a file manager that lists the contents of the key. This then operates autonomously. She is physically connected to anything and it operates solely on its battery. SanDisk believes autonomy about 4:30 - that's what we found more or less - and charging via a computer takes about 2 hours.
The app shows information including the battery of the key and the available storage space (in%)
The only light on the key can prevent a low battery (flashing red). The app also gives this information, but in a little more precise, with a gauge in three colors and no quantitative indication. At the same location of the interface was storage space percentages still free on the key and on the iPhone.
File Management
Once the records have been plenty of time to change the sort order of documents (by name, date, size or type up / down) and see the List or grid of icons. Nor prevents more to delete, rename or move between folders.
Regardless of the records of the key that appears, the app contains a local directory called My Downloads. That's where we transferred from the key files that you want to keep permanently on the iPhone, if by chance the key is discharged or has been forgotten. Regarding speed, count, for example 5 minutes to move a movie of 700MB
Like other sync apps (Dropbox, onedrive, etc.), the SanDisk can automatically retrieve the contents of your Camera Roll as and as you take photos or shoot, so as to store it all on the key. If in addition activates the ad hoc option, originals will be erased to make room on the iPhone. Suffice it to connect the key to his computer to recover everything.
What works in one direction (towards key iPhone) also works the other (key to iPhone). Depending on the type of stored files you can transfer them to the iPhone and its apps with iOS sharing menu. This will be pictures that will go pouring into the film, PDFs sent to Evernote or Dropbox, films that go in addition to VLC and others. The app can open PDFs, text or Office documents as a basic viewer. It plays videos, but she does not know take a current reading, for example. For music, there are basic functions like pause, track skip, readings loop or random but not fast forward within a title. In a folder containing images, consultation can be done manually or by a slide show with some transition effects and optional display possible.Failing app and if you have a MacBook, we will connect the key to the Wi-Fi to access its content with a web browser. Once connected to the accessory, just go to the address and the key www.sandisk.com/myconnect directory appears to let you view files and recover your computer. By cons, there is no way to dump files from the Mac to the key through the web browser.
Connecting to multiple
Up to 3 mobile devices can connect simultaneously to the key. We have been testing play movies at the same time from an iPhone 6 and iPad mini. Both videos could be played without problem, one was a trailer in 1080p, the other an animated film in 720p.
However, SanDisk recommends rather stick to 720p if one is to three in the key. Better indeed is not asking too much, pauses playback arriving quickly. This happened for example when the key was trying to save photos and videos from the Camera Roll. By cons, with a film on one side and a music playback on the other, it will necessarily better. In summary, it can play movies from this key, but according to their format and depending on the context (use solo or more), if you have room on your iPhone, so copy them to an app like VLC time to see them and then delete them.
Since the last update of the app early January, the key works with Apple TV (and Chromecast and Fire TV). There are two cases. We can send AirPlay to its Apple TV content stored locally in the app on the iPhone. Or broadcast directly from the key music or movie formats compatible with Apple TV. To do this, you connect the Apple TV over Wi-Fi of the key and directing play from the app. It works, except that the player is basic (play / pause, and that's all), it does not store the last point read and the dissemination stops as soon as you leave the or app puts the standby screen. The AirPlay function can be useful in some cases (for a meeting?), But this is not the strong point of this key.
Among the options a bonus there is a lock Wi-Fi password. This will dampen the enthusiasm of one who wants to connect to your key, but that's all. The content of the key is not protected and is accessible if it is physically connected. Similarly, disabling this is sesame without requiring prior password. It is a more all he has are minimal protection.
Conclusion
On what it is supposed to do, this little key that will slip into a pocket or hang on a keychain works pretty well. The limitations of the app can be erased with the backing of more specialized software to which we share its files. There are here and there some finishing defects (mainly in the interface) and functions that should be further (AirPlay), but they do not however constitute the heart of the uses of this accessory.
SanDisk Connect meets its way to the problem of lack of storage space experienced by some users of iPhone or iPad. There are plethora of solutions, some based on the flash as here, others on more generous hard drives. Connect this was for her a small footprint, a fairly simple operation and an app that previously regularly changing.
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